-Bob Dylan http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/its-alright-ma-im-only-bleeding
Lyrics-
"Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying.
Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool's gold mouthpiece
The hollow horn plays wasted words
Proves to warn
That he not busy being born
Is busy dying.
Temptation's page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel to moan but unlike before
You discover
That you'd just be
One more person crying.
So don't fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing.
As some warn victory, some downfall
Private reasons great or small
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
To make all that should be killed to crawl
While others say don't hate nothing at all
Except hatred.
Disillusioned words like bullets bark
As human gods aim for their mark
Made everything from toy guns that spark
To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
It's easy to see without looking too far
That not much
Is really sacred.
While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have
To stand naked.
An' though the rules of the road have been lodged
It's only people's games that you got to dodge
And it's alright, Ma, I can make it.
Advertising signs that con you
Into thinking you're the one
That can do what's never been done
That can win what's never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you.
You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
That somebody thinks
They really found you.
A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
Insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not fergit
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to.
Although the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to.
For them that must obey authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Speak jealously of them that are free
Cultivate their flowers to be
Nothing more than something
They invest in.
While some on principles baptized
To strict party platform ties
Social clubs in drag disguise
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And then say God bless him.
While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in.
But I mean no harm nor put fault
On anyone that lives in a vault
But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him.
Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Limited in sex, they dare
To push fake morals, insult and stare
While money doesn't talk, it swears
Obscenity, who really cares
Propaganda, all is phony.
While them that defend what they cannot see
With a killer's pride, security
It blows the minds most bitterly
For them that think death's honesty
Won't fall upon them naturally
Life sometimes
Must get lonely.
My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
False gods, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough
What else can you show me?
And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only"(Dylan).
“It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” by Bob Dylan is one of his most meaningful pieces about war and the Vietnam War era. Bob Dylan is the most influential artist of the 1960’s if not of all time. His music was one of the first to have significant lyrics with a purpose behind them. Dylan’s music changed as rapidly as the social movements in the 1960’s. In 1965 Dylan opposed the Vietnam War and released “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” as the last song on his album “Bringing it all back home.” The song is filled with a subtle but at the same time harsh sounding-echoing tune, just like the Vietnam War and everything surrounding it, in the way that there is war and peace at home with displeased echoing voices of society. The song is about war and dying and how young men are being tricked into fighting the government’s war. It’s about how society breaks someone down and your not allowed to voice your opinion with out getting bashed for it. The song is about life and propaganda being pushed by governments. The song is very meaningful and at the time is very controversial. Dylan sings his song knowing he would get flack from the media but also knows it would inspire people to protest the war and at the very end states “And if my thought-dreams could be seen. They'd probably put my head in a guillotine, But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only” (Dylan). Bob Dylan is not afraid what anyone thinks and all his songs have purpose behind them especially "It's Alright Ma" in 1965.
Lyric meanings relating to Vietnam War
-"That he not busy being born Is busy dying"(Dylan). - This line is relating to how if your not making something out of your self you end up in Vietnam. Since during Vietnam, you would not be drafted if you attended college and if not you would be forced to fight in the war.
-"Made everything from toy guns that spark To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark It's easy to see without looking too far That not much Is really sacred" And " Advertising signs that con you Into thinking you're the on That can do what's never been done That can win what's never been won Meantime life outside goes on All around you"(Dylan). This verse in the song is referring to how everyone tried glamorizing the war at first as a war against communism and evil, but how everyone realized that it was all propaganda and not a just war.
-"You lose yourself, you reappear You suddenly find you got nothing to fear Alone you stand with nobody near When a trembling distant voice, unclear Startles your sleeping ears to hear That somebody thinks They really found you"(Dylan). The relation to Vietnam in these lyrics is that when the war vets came back they seemed like they were alone because of the events and things they had to deal with in war. Also everyone saw the veterans as a reminder to an American defeat and treated them as if they were the enemies.
-"But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him. Old lady judges watch people in pairs Limited in sex, they dare To push fake morals, insult and stare"(Dylan). During the Vietnam War there was such a generational gap. The parents of the Vietnam era were all part of the greatest generation fighting in World War II. Now that generation was looking down at this generation and felt as if they were failing them and America.
-"While money doesn't talk, it swears Obscenity, who really cares Propaganda, all is phony. While them that defend what they cannot see With a killer's pride, security" (Dylan). These lyrics refer to how the rich, propaganda, and fighting for no reason are all involved in the Vietnam war.
-"My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards False gods, I scuff At pettiness which plays so rough" (Dylan). This touches on how many lives were lost during Vietnam. Also how someone's decision, the war in Vietnam, can make such an impact on peoples lives.
Work Cited
Dylan, Bob. "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)." Bobdyaln.com. Colomiba
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
Ohhh, war, I despise
Because it means destruction
Of innocent lives
War means tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh
Good God, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing
But a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Ooooh, war
It's an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die
Aaaaah, war-huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, it's got one friend
That's the undertaker
Ooooh, war, has shattered
Many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious
To spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life
It can only take it away
Ooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way
Ooooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
You tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it
War, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it
Nothing
The song “War” was a psychedelic soul song, that was written by Norman Whitfield, and Barrett Strong. The song was written as a anti-Vietnam war song. The original vocalists were the temptations. So the song did not alienate any of the Temptations fans, when Norman Whitfield released the song, he rerecorded it with Edwin Starr. Edwin Starr's version of “War” was a number one hit.
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism
This-ism, that-ism, ism ism ism
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
(C'mon)
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
Minister, Sinister, Banisters and Canisters,
Bishops, Fishops, Rabbis, and Pop Eyes, Bye bye, Bye byes
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
(Let me tell you now)
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
Revolution, Evolution, Masturbation, Flagellation, Regulation,
Integrations, mediations, United Nations, congratulations
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
John and Yoko, Timmy Leary, Rosemary,
Tommy Smothers, Bobby Dylan, Tommy Cooper,
Derek Taylor, Norman Mailer, Alan Ginsberg, Hare Krishna
Hare Hare Krishna
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
(Repeat 'til the tape runs out)
John Lennon, born October 9th 1940 and died December 8th 1980, was an English rock musician, songwriter, author and peace activist. He is known as one of the founding members of the Beatles and is the second most successful songwriter in the UK after fellow Beatles member Paul McCartney. “Give Peace A Chance” was written in 1969 during the Anti American War in Viet Nam movement. This song was written during Lennon's ‘Bed-In’ honeymoon. When asked by a reporter what he was trying to achieve by staying in bed, Lennon answered spontaneously "All we are saying is give peace a chance". Lennon liked the phrase and set it to music for the song (Wikipedia). Lennon recorded it using a simple setup of four microphones and a four-track tape recorder rented from a local recording studio (Year One). Dozens of journalists and many celebrities attended this recording including Timothy Leary, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Joseph Schwartz, Allan Rock, Rosemary Woodruff Leary, Petula Clark, Dick Gregory, Allen Ginsberg, Murray the K, Al Capp and Derek Taylor. Lennon played the acoustic guitar and was joined by Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers who also played the acoustic guitar and was mentioned in the last verse of the lyrics. In the third verse of the song Lennon uses the work masturbation but later changed the word to mastication on the official lyric page. In an interview after the change Lennon amditted this was a "cop out" but he did it to avoid any further controversy. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were both credited for writing the song but in later releases only Lennon is credited for writing it.
Mike Kraus, Emily Scandariato, Zack Walz
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
-Bob Dylan http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/its-alright-ma-im-only-bleedingLyrics-
"Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying.
Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool's gold mouthpiece
The hollow horn plays wasted words
Proves to warn
That he not busy being born
Is busy dying.
Temptation's page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel to moan but unlike before
You discover
That you'd just be
One more person crying.
So don't fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing.
As some warn victory, some downfall
Private reasons great or small
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
To make all that should be killed to crawl
While others say don't hate nothing at all
Except hatred.
Disillusioned words like bullets bark
As human gods aim for their mark
Made everything from toy guns that spark
To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
It's easy to see without looking too far
That not much
Is really sacred.
While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have
To stand naked.
An' though the rules of the road have been lodged
It's only people's games that you got to dodge
And it's alright, Ma, I can make it.
Advertising signs that con you
Into thinking you're the one
That can do what's never been done
That can win what's never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you.
You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
That somebody thinks
They really found you.
A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
Insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not fergit
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to.
Although the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to.
For them that must obey authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Speak jealously of them that are free
Cultivate their flowers to be
Nothing more than something
They invest in.
While some on principles baptized
To strict party platform ties
Social clubs in drag disguise
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And then say God bless him.
While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in.
But I mean no harm nor put fault
On anyone that lives in a vault
But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him.
Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Limited in sex, they dare
To push fake morals, insult and stare
While money doesn't talk, it swears
Obscenity, who really cares
Propaganda, all is phony.
While them that defend what they cannot see
With a killer's pride, security
It blows the minds most bitterly
For them that think death's honesty
Won't fall upon them naturally
Life sometimes
Must get lonely.
My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
False gods, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough
What else can you show me?
And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only"(Dylan).
“It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” by Bob Dylan is one of his most meaningful pieces about war and the Vietnam War era. Bob Dylan is the most influential artist of the 1960’s if not of all time. His music was one of the first to have significant lyrics with a purpose behind them. Dylan’s music changed as rapidly as the social movements in the 1960’s. In 1965 Dylan opposed the Vietnam War and released “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” as the last song on his album “Bringing it all back home.” The song is filled with a subtle but at the same time harsh sounding-echoing tune, just like the Vietnam War and everything surrounding it, in the way that there is war and peace at home with displeased echoing voices of society. The song is about war and dying and how young men are being tricked into fighting the government’s war. It’s about how society breaks someone down and your not allowed to voice your opinion with out getting bashed for it. The song is about life and propaganda being pushed by governments. The song is very meaningful and at the time is very controversial. Dylan sings his song knowing he would get flack from the media but also knows it would inspire people to protest the war and at the very end states “And if my thought-dreams could be seen. They'd probably put my head in a guillotine, But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only” (Dylan). Bob Dylan is not afraid what anyone thinks and all his songs have purpose behind them especially "It's Alright Ma" in 1965.
Lyric meanings relating to Vietnam War
-"That he not busy being born Is busy dying"(Dylan). - This line is relating to how if your not making something out of your self you end up in Vietnam. Since during Vietnam, you would not be drafted if you attended college and if not you would be forced to fight in the war.
-"Made everything from toy guns that spark To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark It's easy to see without looking too far That not much Is really sacred" And " Advertising signs that con you Into thinking you're the on That can do what's never been done That can win what's never been won Meantime life outside goes on All around you"(Dylan). This verse in the song is referring to how everyone tried glamorizing the war at first as a war against communism and evil, but how everyone realized that it was all propaganda and not a just war.
-"You lose yourself, you reappear You suddenly find you got nothing to fear Alone you stand with nobody near When a trembling distant voice, unclear Startles your sleeping ears to hear That somebody thinks They really found you"(Dylan). The relation to Vietnam in these lyrics is that when the war vets came back they seemed like they were alone because of the events and things they had to deal with in war. Also everyone saw the veterans as a reminder to an American defeat and treated them as if they were the enemies.
-"But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him. Old lady judges watch people in pairs Limited in sex, they dare To push fake morals, insult and stare"(Dylan). During the Vietnam War there was such a generational gap. The parents of the Vietnam era were all part of the greatest generation fighting in World War II. Now that generation was looking down at this generation and felt as if they were failing them and America.
-"While money doesn't talk, it swears Obscenity, who really cares Propaganda, all is phony. While them that defend what they cannot see With a killer's pride, security" (Dylan). These lyrics refer to how the rich, propaganda, and fighting for no reason are all involved in the Vietnam war.
-"My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards False gods, I scuff At pettiness which plays so rough" (Dylan). This touches on how many lives were lost during Vietnam. Also how someone's decision, the war in Vietnam, can make such an impact on peoples lives.
Work Cited
Dylan, Bob. "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)." Bobdyaln.com. Colomiba
Records, 1993. Web. 1 Oct. 2009. <http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/
its-alright-ma-im-only-bleeding>.
"Bob Dylan Biography." Biography . A and E Television Network, 2009. Web. 1 Oct.
2009. <http://www.biography.com/articles/Bob-Dylan-9283052?part=2>.
WAR
http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/edwin_starr/war.htmlWar, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
Ohhh, war, I despise
Because it means destruction
Of innocent lives
War means tears
To thousands of mothers eyes
When their sons go to fight
And lose their lives
I said, war, huh
Good God, y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing
But a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Ooooh, war
It's an enemy to all mankind
The point of war blows my mind
War has caused unrest
Within the younger generation
Induction then destruction
Who wants to die
Aaaaah, war-huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it, say it, say it
War, huh
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again y'all
War, huh, good God
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, it's got one friend
That's the undertaker
Ooooh, war, has shattered
Many a young mans dreams
Made him disabled, bitter and mean
Life is much to short and precious
To spend fighting wars these days
War can't give life
It can only take it away
Ooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again
War, whoa, Lord
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Listen to me
War, it ain't nothing but a heartbreaker
War, friend only to the undertaker
Peace, love and understanding
Tell me, is there no place for them today
They say we must fight to keep our freedom
But Lord knows there's got to be a better way
Ooooooh, war, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
You tell me
Say it, say it, say it, say it
War, huh
Good God y'all
What is it good for
Stand up and shout it
Nothing
The song “War” was a psychedelic soul song, that was written by Norman Whitfield, and Barrett Strong. The song was written as a anti-Vietnam war song. The original vocalists were the temptations. So the song did not alienate any of the Temptations fans, when Norman Whitfield released the song, he rerecorded it with Edwin Starr. Edwin Starr's version of “War” was a number one hit.
Work CIted
Song fact. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2009. <http://www.songfacts.com/
detail.php?id=1029>.
Give Peace A Chance - John Lennon
http://www.absolutelyrics.com/lyrics/view/john_lennon/give_peace_a_chance/Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism, Ragism, Tagism
This-ism, that-ism, ism ism ism
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
(C'mon)
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
Minister, Sinister, Banisters and Canisters,
Bishops, Fishops, Rabbis, and Pop Eyes, Bye bye, Bye byes
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
(Let me tell you now)
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
Revolution, Evolution, Masturbation, Flagellation, Regulation,
Integrations, mediations, United Nations, congratulations
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout
John and Yoko, Timmy Leary, Rosemary,
Tommy Smothers, Bobby Dylan, Tommy Cooper,
Derek Taylor, Norman Mailer, Alan Ginsberg, Hare Krishna
Hare Hare Krishna
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
(Repeat 'til the tape runs out)
John Lennon, born October 9th 1940 and died December 8th 1980, was an English rock musician, songwriter, author and peace activist. He is known as one of the founding members of the Beatles and is the second most successful songwriter in the UK after fellow Beatles member Paul McCartney. “Give Peace A Chance” was written in 1969 during the Anti American War in Viet Nam movement. This song was written during Lennon's ‘Bed-In’ honeymoon. When asked by a reporter what he was trying to achieve by staying in bed, Lennon answered spontaneously "All we are saying is give peace a chance". Lennon liked the phrase and set it to music for the song (Wikipedia). Lennon recorded it using a simple setup of four microphones and a four-track tape recorder rented from a local recording studio (Year One). Dozens of journalists and many celebrities attended this recording including Timothy Leary, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Joseph Schwartz, Allan Rock, Rosemary Woodruff Leary, Petula Clark, Dick Gregory, Allen Ginsberg, Murray the K, Al Capp and Derek Taylor. Lennon played the acoustic guitar and was joined by Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers who also played the acoustic guitar and was mentioned in the last verse of the lyrics. In the third verse of the song Lennon uses the work masturbation but later changed the word to mastication on the official lyric page. In an interview after the change Lennon amditted this was a "cop out" but he did it to avoid any further controversy. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were both credited for writing the song but in later releases only Lennon is credited for writing it.
Work Cited
"Give Peace A Chance." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 27 Sept. 2009.
Web. 1 Oct. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Give_Peace_a_Chance#cite_note-5>.
Lennon, John, et al. The Beatles (2000) The Beatles Anthology. N.p.: n.p., 2000.
Print.
Whelan, John. "Year One." Year One. National Archives of Canada, 27 Nov. 2002.
Web. 1 Oct. 2009. <http://beatles.ncf.ca/pic_essay.html>.